Latchable package

ABSTRACT

A latchable package comprises: a structure; and a support for supporting one or more items, the support being movable in an opening direction between a first position in which the structure blocks access to the one or more items and a second position in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of the structure. The structure and support comprise complementary latch members configured to engage when the support is arranged in the first position to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction. The latch member of the support is moveable in a latching direction transverse to the opening direction to engage with the latch member of the structure. The support comprises a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall being subject to a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in the latching direction, wherein a first portion of the latch wall is constrained against the biasing force, and wherein a second portion of the latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured to release the constraint in the second portion of the wall to allow the second portion to flare outwardly in the latching direction under the biasing force to act as the latch member on the support.

This invention relates to a latchable package such as a box, which maybe used in the packaging of items. In particular, though notexclusively, the invention relates to a child-resistant package forstoring potentially hazardous materials such as, for example,pharmaceuticals, which must be kept safe from children or irresponsibleadults.

The safe storage of potentially hazardous materials such aspharmaceuticals has long been a problem for families with youngchildren. Whilst parents desire access to a wide range ofpharmaceuticals in order to be able to treat illnesses promptly andeasily, the natural curiosity of children can cause them to seek out andingest such materials when unsupervised. This can have seriousconsequences. For example, an overdose of virtually any pharmaceuticalis injurious to health. Indeed some pharmaceuticals are entirelyunsuitable for children and have an adverse effect on the health ofchildren even if handled or ingested in very small quantities.

For the sake of simplicity, potentially hazardous materials such asthose described above will hereinafter simply be referred to as“hazardous materials”. Additionally, the problems described above arenot limited to children and can also arise in respect of irresponsibleor forgetful adults, such as for example some mentally ill or mentallydisabled patients, or the elderly who may be prone to confusion as tothe contents of a package. Whilst the focus of this specification is onchildren, it will be appreciated that the majority of what is describedherein applies analogously to irresponsible or forgetful adults. Allsuch analogies are within the scope of this specification, even wherereference is made only to children.

In light of their dangerous nature, hazardous materials must be kept outof the reach of children. This is an established practice that is offundamental importance and which may be augmented, but can never bereplaced, by child resistant closures (CRCs). CRCs make it harder forchildren to extract hazardous materials from a package, if they domanage gain access to them in packaged form.

Many CRC designs have been suggested in the past. However, such CRCdesigns are often complicated in structure and expensive to manufacture.In particular, assembly processes are typically longer and more complexfor child-resistant packages, which results in a costlier manufacturingprocess. Since the cost of packaging is generally passed on toconsumers, this leads consumers to buy products in non-resistantpackaging where available, thereby increasing the risk of accidentalpoisonings and the like. Minimising complexity of a CRC design and itsmanufacturing process, and hence minimising its cost, is thereforecrucial in providing a successful CRC.

It is important to balance the child-resistance of a CRC with reasonableease of opening for adults wishing to access the contents of thepackage. For example, adults needing to take medication housed in thepackage may be physically impaired.

A further design consideration is that once a CRC has been opened, it isimportant that it can be easily and perceptibly returned to a securedposition. If the mechanism for returning the CRC to a secured positionis too complicated, the user may omit to return the CRC to the securedposition, thereby leaving the hazardous material more easily accessible.If it is not obvious to the user that the CRC has been returned to thesecured position, the user may inadvertently fail to secure the packagecorrectly before it is returned to its storage place, negating thechild-resistant design.

Many CRCs incorporate plastics components. In particular, in CRC designsthat incorporate a latch feature for child resistance, the latch featureis often formed of plastic material, so as to provide the high degree ofdurability that is desirable for a CRC. However, such plasticscomponents are not environmentally-friendly, and it would be desirableto provide a plastics-free option that provides the required level ofrigidity and child resistance.

It is an object of this invention to address at least one of theproblems described above.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the invention resides in a latchable packagecomprising a structure and a support for supporting one or more items,the support being movable in an opening direction between a firstposition in which the structure blocks access to the one or more itemsand a second position in which the one or more items are accessiblyclear of the structure, the structure and support comprisingcomplementary latch members configured to engage when the support isarranged in the first position to prevent movement of the support in theopening direction, the latch member of the support being moveable in alatching direction transverse to the opening direction to engage withthe latch member of the structure. The support comprises a latch regionhaving a latch wall, the latch wall being subject to a biasing forcethat biases the wall outwardly in the latching direction, wherein afirst portion of the latch wall is constrained against the biasingforce, and wherein a second portion of the latch wall comprises adiscontinuity configured to release the constraint in the second portionof the wall to allow the second portion to flare outwardly in thelatching direction under the biasing force to act as the latch member onthe support.

The second portion of the latch wall may comprise a free edge thatdefines an abutment surface.

The second portion may terminate in the free edge at a forward end ofthe second portion with respect to the opening direction.

The biasing force may be a tensile force.

The tensile force may be an inherent force in the latch wall, forexample as a result of material properties of the wall. For example ifthe wall is a moulded wall, the inherent tensile force may be moldedinto the wall. Alternatively, the biasing force may be present as aresult of the structure of the latch region and/or support.

The latch region may comprise a fold arranged to subject the latch wallto the biasing force. The fold may extend substantially parallel to theopening direction.

The fold may define an edge of the latch wall. The latch region may beprovided as part of a folded sheet. The folded sheet may define thesupport.

The extent of flare of the second region may increase moving from thefold to the discontinuity. The extent of flare may be substantially zeroimmediately adjacent to the fold. The extent of flare may be between 0.5and 5 mm immediately adjacent to the discontinuity.

The latch region may comprise a pair of folds. The latch wall may extendbetween the folds.

The discontinuity may be arranged between the folds. Alternatively, thediscontinuity may be arranged at one of the folds.

The first portion of the latch wall may be constrained by means ofadhesion between panels of the folded sheet. The first portion of thelatch wall may be adhered directly to another portion of the latchregion to constrain the first portion of the latch wall.

The discontinuity may be arranged to divide the second portion into twolatch members where one latch member is provided at each side of thediscontinuity.

The discontinuity may be elongate and extend substantially along theopening direction.

The discontinuity may be an opening, such as a slit, cut, or aperture inthe wall of the support.

The latch region may comprise a further opening that extends in adirection transverse to the first opening. Both openings together maydefine a T-shape.

The further opening may define a border of the second portion. Thesecond opening may define the free edge of the second portion.

The latch wall may be provided with at least one termination aperturelocated adjacent to the opening. The termination aperture may have atleast one dimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension ofthe opening.

The termination aperture may be provided at a base of the opening, at aposition rearward of the opening with respect to the opening direction.The termination opening may be substantially circular.

The latch region may be integral with a main body of the support, suchthat a wall of the main body defines that latch wall. The latch regionmay be defined on a side wall or base wall of the support, such that therespective side wall or base wall of the support defines the latch wall.

The latch region may be provided on a latch element that is coupleableto a main body of the support, such that the latch region overlies aportion of the main body of the support.

The support may comprise a band that encircles the main body of thesupport and the latch region may be provided on the band. Alternatively,the support may comprise an insert that is coupleable to an externalwall of the main body of the support and the latch region may beprovided on the insert.

The latch region of the support may comprise an inner wall and an outerwall. At least one opening may be provided in the outer wall.

The inner wall may form a base for supporting the one or more items.

The package may comprise a withdrawal stop structure for limitingmovement of the support in the opening direction. The withdrawal stopstructure on the support may be defined by a further latch region whichis arranges rearward if the latch region in the opening direction.

The structure may comprise an access feature arranged to permit accessto the support when the support is in the first position.

The structure may comprise and unlatching region arranged to overlie thelatch region of the support when the support is arranged in the firstposition. The unlatching region may be configured to allow the latchmember of the support to be moved in an unlatching direction via theunlatching region of the support.

The unlatching region may comprise a slit, cut or opening in a wall ofthe structure that allows a portion of the wall adjacent to the slit orcut or opening to be depressed to depress the latch member of thesupport. The unlatching region may comprise an aperture through whichthe latch region of the support can be accessed.

The latch member of the structure may comprise a flap extendingrearwardly from a wall of the structure with respect to the openingdirection.

A rearward facing edge of the flap defines an abutment surface againstwhich the latch member of the support can abut if a user attempts tomove the support in the opening direction without moving the latchmember in the unlatching direction. Where the latch region is providedon a base wall of the support, the flap may be provided on a base wallof the structure. Where the latch region is provided on a side wall ofthe support, the flap may be provided on a corresponding side wall ofthe structure.

The first portion of the latch wall may be constrained to define a planeand the latching direction may be substantially perpendicular to theplane.

The first portion of the latch wall may be arranged rearwardly of thesecond portion with respect to the opening direction. The discontinuitymay be arranged forwardly of the first portion with respect to theopening direction.

The invention also extends to a support for use in the latchable packageof any preceding claim, the package comprising a structure and a supportfor supporting one or more items, the support being movable in anopening direction between a first position in which the structure blocksaccess to the one or more items and a second position in which the oneor more items are accessibly clear of the structure, and the structureand support comprising complementary latch members configured to engagewhen the support is arranged in the first position to prevent movementof the support in the opening direction, the latch member of the supportbeing moveable in a latching direction transverse to the openingdirection to engage with the latch member of the structure, and thesupport comprising a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wallbeing subject to a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in thelatching direction, wherein a first portion of the latch wall isconstrained against the biasing force, and wherein a second portion ofthe latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured to release theconstraint in the second portion of the wall to allow the second portionto flare outwardly in the latching direction under the biasing force toact as the latch member on the support.

From another aspect, the invention resides in a latchable packagecomprising a structure and a support for supporting one or more items,the support being movable in an opening direction between a firstposition in which the structure blocks access to the one or more itemsand a second position in which the one or more items are accessiblyclear of the structure, the structure and support comprisingcomplementary latch members configured to engage when the support isarranged in the first position to prevent movement of the support in theopening direction, the latch member of the support being moveable in alatching direction transverse to the opening direction to engage withthe latch member of the structure. The support comprises a latch regionhaving a latch wall, the latch wall comprising: a first portion that isconstrained in the latching direction; a second portion arrangedforwardly of the first portion in the opening direction, the secondportion comprising a free edge defining the latch member on the support;and an opening arranged forward of the first portion in the openingdirection and adjacent to the second portion to permit movement of thesecond portion relative to the first portion in the latching direction.The second portion is biased to flare outwardly in the latchingdirection so as to bias the free edge into engagement with the latchmember on the structure when the support is in the first position.

The invention also extends to a latch element for use in a latchablepackage, the package comprising a structure and a support for supportingone or more items, the support being movable in an opening directionbetween a first position in which the structure blocks access to the oneor more items and a second position in which the one or more items areaccessibly clear of the structure, and the structure and supportcomprising complementary latch members configured to engage when thesupport is arranged in the first position to prevent movement of thesupport in the opening direction, the latch member of the support beingmoveable in a latching direction transverse to the opening direction toengage with the latch member of the structure. The latch elementcomprises a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall beingsubject to a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in thelatching direction, wherein a first portion of the latch wall isconstrained against the biasing force, and wherein a second portion ofthe latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured to release theconstraint in the second portion of the wall to allow the second portionto flare outwardly in the latching direction under the biasing force toact as a latch member. The latch element is couplable to a support or toa structure of the package to define a latch member of the support orstructure, respectively.

The latch element may comprise a coupling feature to facilitate couplingto the support or structure. The coupling feature may be an adherablesurface. The coupling feature may comprise a tab for engagement with anopening in the support to couple the latch element to the support orstructure. The coupling feature may comprise an opening into which apart of the support or structure can be inserted to couple the latchelement to the support or structure. The latch element may comprise aband that may encircle the support or structure.

The invention extends further to a latchable package comprising astructure; and a support for supporting one or more items, the supportbeing movable in an opening direction between a first position in whichthe structure blocks access to the one or more items and a secondposition in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of thestructure, the structure and support comprising complementary latchmembers configured to engage when the support is arranged in the firstposition to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction,the latch member of the support being moveable in a latching directiontransverse to the opening direction to engage with the latch member ofthe structure. The support comprises a latch region having a latch wall,the latch wall comprising: a fold extending parallel to the openingdirection, the fold providing a biasing force that biases the walloutwardly in a latching direction; a constraining feature configured toconstrain a first portion of the latch wall against the biasing force ofthe fold; an opening in a second portion of the wall configured to allowthe biasing force to act on the second portion to cause the secondportion to flare outwardly in the latching direction, such that thesecond portion acts as the latch member on the support.

The invention also extends to a latchable package comprising a structureand a support for supporting one or more items, the support beingmovable in an opening direction between a first position in which thestructure blocks access to the one or more items and a second positionin which the one or more items are accessibly clear of the structure,the structure and support comprising complementary latch membersconfigured to engage when the support is arranged in the first positionto prevent movement of the support in the opening direction, the latchmember of the support or structure being moveable in a latchingdirection transverse to the opening direction to engage with thecorresponding latch member of the structure or support. The support orstructure comprises a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wallbeing subject to a biasing force that biases the wall in the latchingdirection, wherein a first portion of the latch wall is constrainedagainst the biasing force, and wherein a second portion of the latchwall comprises a discontinuity configured to release the constraint inthe second portion of the wall to allow the second portion to flare inthe latching direction under the biasing force to act as the latchmember on the support or structure.

Optional and preferred features of one aspect of the invention may beused alone, and in appropriate combination, with other aspects of theinvention also.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, referencewill now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a latchable package according to anembodiment of the invention in a first or secured configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the latchable package of FIG. 1 in asecond or access configuration;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are perspective views of the latchable package of FIG. 1in the first or secured configuration, showing the underside of thepackage, where FIG. 3b shows internal features of the package;

FIG. 3c is a perspective view of the latchable package of FIG. 1 in asecond or access configuration, showing the underside of the package andinternal features of the package;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a support forming part of the package ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank that can be folded to form the supportof FIG. 2;

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the support of FIG. 4, showing theunderside of the support;

FIG. 6b is a partial enlarged view of a latch formation forming part ofthe support of FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a structure forming a part of thepackage of FIG. 1, showing the underside of the structure;

FIGS. 8a to 8d are cross-sectional views of the package of FIG. 1 atdifferent stages in the process of opening the package;

FIG. 9 is a plan view from below of the package of FIG. 1 in an openconfiguration;

FIGS. 10a, 11a and 12a are underside plan views and FIGS. 10b, 11b and12b are corresponding underside perspective views respectively, of otherlatchable packages having the same support as the package of FIG. 1 butwith different structures;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a latchable package according toanother embodiment of the invention in a first or secured configuration;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the latchable package of FIG. 13 in asecond or access configuration;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the latchable package of FIG. 13 in thefirst or secured configuration, showing internal features of thepackage;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the latchable package of FIG. 32 in asecond or access configuration, showing internal features of thepackage;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a blank that can be folded to form the supportof FIG. 13;

FIGS. 18a and 18b are partial cross-sectional and perspective viewsrespectively showing a close up of a latch region of the support of thepackage of FIG. 13;

FIGS. 19a and 19b are partial cross-sectional and perspective viewsrespectively showing a close up of a latch region of an alternativesupport for use in a package;

FIG. 19c is a perspective view of a latch element forming part of asupport on an alternative embodiment of a package;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative support, comprising amain body and a latch element couplable to the main body;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the latch element of FIG. 20;

FIGS. 22a to 22d are perspective views of alternative embodiments of asleeve;

FIGS. 23a and 23b are perspective views of an alternative embodiment ofa latch region of a support, in which the latch region is defined by adifferent opening arrangement;

FIGS. 24 and 25 are perspective views of alternative embodiments of alatch element for use with a support; and

FIGS. 26 a to h illustrate alternative opening arrangements definingalternative latch constructions of the support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a child resistant package 100 comprises asupport 200 for storing hazardous materials (not shown), and astructure, in the form of a sleeve 300 for blocking access to thehazardous materials. The package 100 comprises a rear end 102, a frontend 104, a left side 106, a right side 108, an upper side 110, and alower side 112 (visible in FIGS. 3a and 3b ).

The package 100 is moveable by a user in an opening direction X betweena fully-closed or secured position, shown in FIG. 1, in which access tothe hazardous materials is blocked by the sleeve 300, and a fully-openor access position, shown in FIG. 2, in which access to the hazardousmaterials is permitted.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c , the sleeve 300 and the support200 comprise co-operating latch members or features, indicated generallyat 120 in FIG. 3b . The latch members 120 are configured to engage whenthe support 200 and the sleeve 300 are arranged in the secured position.

The components of the latchable package will now be described withreference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

Referring to FIG. 4, the support 200 comprises a main body that definesa tray 202. The tray 202 comprises a rear end 204, a front end 206, aleft side 208, a right side 210, and a base 212.

The base 212 of the tray 202 is defined by a generally planar base wall214. Left and right side walls 216, 218 are upstanding from the basewall 214 at respective left and right sides 208, 210 of the tray 202.The front end 206 of the tray 202 is provided with a front blockingmeans 220 that defines a front wall 222 of the tray and a front blockingsurface 224 that lies perpendicular to the front wall 222 and thatextends a short distance from the front wall 222 into the tray 202. Therear end 204 of the tray 202 is provided with a similar rear blockingmeans 226 that defines a rear wall 228 of the tray 202 and a rearblocking surface 230 that lies perpendicular to the rear wall 228 andthat extends a short distance from the rear wall 228 into the tray 202.

At the rear end 204 of the tray 202, the support 200 is provided with awithdrawal stop formation in the form of a withdrawal stop latch 236.The withdrawal stop latch 236 is a flap that is cut into the rearblocking surface 230 and extends forwardly from an upper rear edge ofthe tray 202. The withdrawal stop latch 236 comprises a fold or crease238 where the flap 236 meets the edge of the tray 202, and a front edge240 opposite the crease 238.

In the embodiment shown, the support 200 is made of cardboard, and isformed by folding a flat blank in the configuration shown. However, thesupport 200 may be formed from any suitable material and by any suitablemethod. For example, the support 200 may be formed from a plasticsmaterial such as impact styrene by vacuum forming or injection moulding.

FIG. 5 shows the flat blank 200 a that is folded to form the support200. The flat blank 200 a comprises a plurality of panels 202 a joinedby a plurality of folds or creases 201. FIG. 5, together with FIG. 6a ,which shows the underside of the support 200, reveals that the base 212of the support 200 is defined by a double base wall, comprised of twopanels lying one on top of the other. To this end, the support 200comprises a first or outer base wall 214 a, which defines theexternal-facing base wall of the support 200, and a second or internalbase wall 214 b, which defines an internal-facing base wall of thesupport 200. Similarly, each left or right side wall 216, 218 is definedby a double wall, comprised of two panels lying next to other, and tothis end, the support 200 comprises a first or outer side wall 216 a,218 a which defines the external-facing side wall of the support 200,and a second or internal side wall 216 b, 218 b which defines aninternal-facing side wall of the support 200.

The external and internal side walls 216 a, 218 a, 216 b, 218 b arejoined by folds 217. The external facing base wall 214 a is joined toexternal left and right side walls 216 a, 218 a by creases or folds 215a, 215 b. In this way, the external base wall 214 a is bounded by a fold215 a, 215 b at its left and right sides, and each external side wall216 a, 218 a is bounded by a fold 217, 215 a, 217, 215 b at its upperand lower sides.

Referring to FIG. 6a , the support 200 comprises a latch region 250. Inthis example, the latch region is provided on an underside of the base212 of the tray 202 and is integral with the external side wall 214 a ofthe support 200; however, in other embodiments that will be laterdescribed, the latch region is provided 250 on other areas of thesupport 200, and/or may be provided as a separate piece that can beattached to and removed from the tray 202.

The latch region 250 of the support 200 comprises a latch wall 252 thatin this case is defined by the external base wall 214 a of the support200. In this way, the latch wall 252 defines an external-facing wall ofthe support 200.

A part of the latch wall 252 defines a latch formation 254 of thesupport 220. The latch formation 254 is biased to flare or protrude in alatching direction L that is transverse to the opening direction X(transverse meaning a direction that is not parallel to the openingdirection X). In this way, the latch formation 254 protrudes away fromthe base 212 of the support 202 in the latching direction L. In FIG. 6a, the latch is shown in a latched or engaged configuration, with thelatch formation 254 biased outwardly in the latching direction L. Inuse, a user can move the latch formation 254 in an unlatching direction,opposite to the latching direction L, into an unlatched or disengagedconfiguration, by applying an inward force to the latch formation 254.When the user releases the inward force, the latch formation 254 willmove in the latching direction L as a result of the biasing force actingupon it, and hence will automatically move back into the latchingconfiguration of FIG. 6 a.

The latch formation 254 is defined in the latch wall 252 by featuresthat are configured to induce a biasing force in the wall 252, constrainthe wall against the biasing force in a first portion 252 a of the latchwall 252, and release the constraint in a second portion 252 b of thelatch wall 252 by virtue of a discontinuity 253 in the wall 252, as willnow be described in detail.

The latch wall 252 is subject to a biasing force by virtue of biasingfeatures present in the latch region 250. In the example of FIG. 6a ,the biasing features are constituted by the two folds 215 a, 215 barranged at left and right sides of the wall 252. In this example,because the blank from which the support 200 is folded is initiallyformed as a flat sheet, and the folds 215 a, 215 b act to bend the sheetout of that plane, the folds 215 a, 215 b create an elastic biasingforce in the wall 252. As a result of this force, a central portion ofthe wall between the folds 215 a, 215 b is subject to a force that tendsto bias the wall outwardly in the latching direction.

In the first portion 252 a of the latch wall 252, remote from the latchformation 254, the latch wall 252 is continuous between the folds 215 a,215 b. Because at least some of the panels of the support are fixed toone another (for example by an adhesive), the latch wall 252 isconstrained between the folds 215 a, 215 b, against the biasing force,so that the wall 252 cannot be displaced in the latching direction, butinstead lies substantially flat against the inner baser wall 214 b ofthe support 200. Thus the first portion 252 a is constrained to liesubstantially in the plane of the base 212. In this example, the firstportion 252 a is constrained by the corners defined by folds 215 a, 215b that join the first portion 252 a of the base wall 214 a to the sidewalls 216 a, 218 a at the left and right sides of the support 200. As aresult of the constraint of these folds 215 a, 215 b, a first portion252 a of the latch wall 252 that lies between the folds 215 a, 215 b, isconstrained within the plane of the base 212, such that the firstportion 252 a cannot project in the latching direction L. In this way,the folds 215 a, 215 b act as constraining features.

The second portion 252 b supports the latch formation 254, and is atleast partially unconstrained. In this case, in the second portion 252b, constraint of the wall between the folds 215 a, 215 b has beenpartially released by virtue of the discontinuity 253. In this example,the discontinuity 253 takes the form of one or more openings 255, whichin this case comprises a first opening 256 in the base wall 214 a of thesupport 200. The opening here is defined by a slit or cut 256 in thewall 214 a, provided between the creases 215 a, 215 b, that extendssubstantially parallel to the opening direction. In this example, thelatch formation 254 comprises left and right latch formations 254 a, 254b that are defined as the portions of the latch wall 214 a that liebetween the creases 215 a, 215 b and the first opening 256,respectively.

A second opening 258 is provided in the latch wall 252 at a positionforward of the first opening 256. The second opening 258 is defined byan elongate slit or cut that extends between the folds 215 a, 215 b in adirection that is transverse to the opening direction X. In this case,the slit of the second opening 258 extends perpendicularly to theopening direction X, such that the first and second openings 256, 258together define a T-shape. The slits of the first and second openings256, 258 meet at a junction 257, which in this case is a T-junction.

The slit of the second opening 258 separates the latch region 252 from aremainder 214 c of the base wall 214 a.

At a rear end of the slit of the first opening 256 is a third opening260. The third opening takes the form of a hole or aperture: in thiscase a circular hole.

The first opening 256 releases constraints on the latch wall 252 in theportion between the folds 215 a, 215 b. With the constraint at leastpartially released, the inherent biasing stress in the latch wall 252can act on the latch wall 252 to cause a resulting strain. In this case,the inherent biasing stress will tend to cause the wall 252 to flareoutwardly, in the latching direction L, such that the latch formations254 a, 254 b are correspondingly biased to flare outwardly in thelatching direction. The region of greatest flare is the region in theimmediate vicinity of the junction 257 between the first and secondopenings 256, 258.

The third opening 260 at the rear of the first opening 256 serves twofunctions. Firstly, the third opening 260 acts as a relaxation openingthat aids the release of constraint and hence flaring of the latchmember 254. Secondly, the third opening 260 acts as a blunting opening,that blunts the end of the slit of the second opening 256. Blunting theslit in this way makes it more difficult to propagate the slit into atear by pulling the latch member 254, and thus improves thetear-resistant properties and durability of the package.

At the front of each latch formation 254 a, 254 b, adjacent to thesecond opening 258, and hence adjacent to the remainder 214 c of thebase wall 214 a, each latch formation 254 a, 254 b comprises a free edge262 that faces generally forwardly in the opening direction X.

The free edges 262 flare upwardly to an increasing extent moving fromthe respective fold 215 a, 215 b towards the first opening 256. At thejunction 257 the free edges 262 flare to their greatest extent,protruding upwardly in the latching direction L above the first portion252 a of the latch wall 252, and above the remainder 214 c of the basewall 214 a. In this way, the free edges 262 can act as abutment edgesthat can abut a corresponding abutment edge on a latch feature of thestructure to perform a latching function, as will be described later.

In this way, the latch formation 254 is naturally and resiliently biasedoutwardly in a first, engaged position in which the free edge 262 israised above the level of the first portion 252 a of the latch wall 252,and above the level of the remainder 214 c of the base wall 214 a. Uponapplication of an inward force to the latch formation 254 in anunlatching direction by a user, the latch formation 254 can beresiliently moved in the unlatching direction to a second, disengagedposition, in which the free edge 262 of the latch formation 254 liessubstantially flush with the first portion 252 a of the latch wall 252,and the remainder 214 c of the base wall 214 a. When the inward force isremoved, the latch formation 254 returns to the first, engaged positiononce more.

Turning now to the sleeve 300 of the package 100, and referring to FIG.7, the sleeve 300 comprises a main body 302 in the form of a shell thatdefines an interior space 303. The sleeve has a rear end 304, a frontend 306, a left side 308, a right side 310, a base 312 and a top 314.

The base 312 and top 314 of the sleeve 300 are defined respectively by agenerally planar base wall 316 and a generally planar upper wall 318.Left and right side walls 320, 322 join the base wall 316 to the upperwall 318 at respective left and right sides 308, 310 of the sleeve 300.

The front end 306 of the sleeve 300 is open. At the front end 306, thebase wall 316 is provided with a latch member 120 in the form of a flap324. The flap 324 extends rearwardly from a front edge 326 of the basewall 316 into the interior space 303. In use in the assembled package100, the flap 324 lies against and parallel to the base wall 316, thoughin FIG. 7 the flap is shown for illustration purposes as projecting atan acute angle to the base wall 316.

The flap 324 comprises a crease 325 where the flap 324 meets the frontedge 326 of the base wall 316, and a rear edge 327 opposite the crease325. In use, the rear edge 327 defines an abutment edge that abutsagainst the corresponding abutment edge 262 on the latch formation 254of the support 200, thereby preventing movement of the support 200.

The sleeve also comprises an access formation 340 that facilitatesaccess to the support 200 in the assembled package 100. In this example,the access formation 340 is provided at the front end 306 of the sleeve300 and takes the form of a cut away.

In particular, the top wall 318 of the sleeve 300 extends furtherforward than the base wall 316 of the sleeve 300, such that the top wall318 overhangs the base wall 316. At the front 306 of the sleeve 300, thetop wall 318 and base wall 316 are joined by front edges 321, 323 of theside walls. To accommodate the overhang, the front edges 321, 323 aresloped so as to taper rearwardly and downwardly when the package 100 isarranged for use, as best seen in FIG. 1.

As also best seen in FIG. 1, when the package 100 is assembled and inthe secure state, the cut away 340 defined by the access formation 340reveals a lower front portion 207 of the support 200, such that a usercan grip the lower front portion 207 at left and right sides 208, 210 ofthe support 200.

The rear end 304 of the sleeve 300 is at least partially closed by arear end wall (not visible in FIG. 7).

On the underside of the sleeve 300, the base wall 316 is provided withan unlatching region 330 in the form of an aperture 331. The aperture331 is located in a position that, when the flap 324 lies flush againstthe base wall 316, is immediately rearward of a rear edge 327 of theflap 324. In this way, when the support 200 is arranged in the sleeve300, the aperture 331 generally aligns with the region of greatest flareof the latch formation 254 of the support 200, as best shown in FIG. 3b. In use, the unlatching region 330 facilitates depression of the latchformation 254 of the support 200 through the structure 300: in thiscase, by providing direct access to the latch formation 254 through theaperture 331. In some examples, a peripheral edge 332 of the base wall316 surrounding the aperture 331 may act as an abutment edge instead of,or as well as, the abutment edge defined by the rear edge 327 of theflap 324.

In the embodiment shown, the sleeve 300 is made of cardboard, and isformed by folding a flat blank in the configuration shown. However, thesleeve 300 may be formed from any suitable material and by any suitablemethod. For example, the sleeve 300 may be formed from a plasticsmaterial such as impact styrene by vacuum forming or injection moulding.

The construction and operation of the fully-assembled package will nowbe described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3a to 3c , and FIG.8.

Referring to FIG. 3a , in the assembled package 100, the support 200 isslidably arranged inside the interior space 303 defined by the sleeve300 so that the support 200 can be moved back and forth together betweenthe access configuration shown in FIG. 3c and the secure configurationshown in FIGS. 3a and 3 b.

In the secure configuration, the blocking means 220, 226 on the tray 202of the support act to block the ends of the package 100 to make itdifficult for a child to access the contents of the tray 200 when thepackage is secured. In particular, the front wall 222 blocks the openend at the front of the package 100, and the blocking surfaces 224, 230lie flush against the upper wall 318 of the sleeve 300 to prevent achild accessing the tray by working a finger over the front or rear wall222, 228.

As best seen in FIG. 3a , when the support 200 is arranged in the secureposition, the latch formation 254 on the support 200 is accessiblethrough the aperture 331 on the sleeve 300.

Referring to FIG. 8a , if a user attempts to push or pull the support200 in the opening direction X, while the latch formations 254 a, 254 bof the support 200 are in the latched configuration (i.e. while a partof the latch wall 252 is flared outwardly), the abutment edge 262 of thelatch formation 254 of the support 200 will be moved into contact withthe abutment edge 327 on the flap 324 of the structure 300, such thatthe abutment edges 262, 327 abut when moved in an abutment directiongenerally parallel to the opening direction X, thereby arresting anyfurther movement of the support 200 in the opening direction X.

To move the support 200 in the opening direction X, and hence move thepackage 100 into the access configuration of FIG. 3c , the user mustfirst move the latch formations 254 a, 254 b into an unlatchedconfiguration. To do this, the user must apply an unlatching force in anunlatching direction substantially opposite to the latching direction L.With the package 100 oriented for use, as shown in FIG. 8b , the latchformations 254 a, 254 b are arranged on the base 214 of the support 200,and thus the unlatching direction is a substantially upward direction.

When a user applies an upward force to the latch formation 254, forexample by pushing the latch formation 254 through the aperture 331 withtheir thumb or finger, the latch formation 254 is resiliently deformedin the unlatching direction. The latch formation 254 then lies flat, oralmost flat, so that it is flush, or almost flush, with the base wall214 a of the support 200.

With the unlatching force still applied, the user can then begin to movethe support 200 in the opening direction X. To do so, the user accessesthe support 200 via the access formation 340 to grip the lower frontregion 207 of the support 200, and pulls the support 200 in the openingdirection.

With the latch formation 254 in the unlatching configuration, theabutment edge 262 of the latch formation 254 of the support 200 is nowdepressed below the level of the flap 324 of the structure 300. Thus, asthe support 200 is moved in the opening direction X, the abutment edge262 of the latch formation 254 of the support 200 will no longer comeinto contact with the abutment edge 327 on the flap 324 of the structure300, but will move past the flap 324 into the configuration shown inFIG. 8 c.

Once the latch formation 254 of the support 200 has past the latchformation 324 of the structure 300, movement in the opening directioncan continue, as shown in FIG. 8 d.

Referring to FIG. 3c , further movement of the support 200 in theopening direction X brings the package 100 into the fully-open state. Asbest seen in FIG. 9, in this fully-open state, the flap 324 on thesleeve 300 and the withdrawal stop latch 236 of the support 200 engagewith one another to prevent further movement of the support 200 in theopening direction.

In particular, the front edge 240 of the withdrawal stop latch 236 onthe support 200 abuts against the crease 325 of the iflap 324 on thesleeve, and/or the rear edge 327 of the flap 324 on the sleeve 300 abutsagainst the crease 238 of the withdrawal stop latch 236 on the support200.

In this way, the flap 324 on the sleeve 300 and the withdrawal stoplatch 236 on the support 200 act to limit movement of the support 200 inthe opening direction, so that the support 200 cannot be easily removedfrom the sleeve 300. It should be noted that the withdrawal stop latch236 of the support 200 could take a different form in other embodiments.For example, the withdrawal stop latch 236 could simply comprise a smallprotrusion from the base wall 214 or the rear wall 228 of the support200, that extends generally perpendicularly with respect to the basewall 214. In such an embodiment, the protrusion functions in a similarmanner to the latch 236, by engaging with the rear edge 327 of the flap324 on the sleeve 300 to limit movement of the support 200 in theopening direction. In other embodiments, one or more protrusions mayextend from one or more of the side walls 216, 218 of the support 200,and engage with complementary withdrawal stop features of the sleeve 300in a similar manner to that already described. To return the support 200from the fully-open state to the secured state, the user simply pushesthe support 200 back into the sleeve 300. As the support 200 is pushedinto the sleeve 300, the flap 324 of the sleeve 300 initially pushes thelatch formation 254 of the support 200 into the disengaged state.However, when the latch formation 254 on the support 200 moves past theflap 324 on the sleeve 300, they are unconstrained by the wall of theflap 324 and hence are biased into the engaged state. When the support200 has been moved into the fully-closed state, the latch formation 254is visible through, and protrudes into, the aperture 331 on the sleeve300. In this secured state, the package 100 can be stored safely.

Embodiments of the package 100 are envisaged in which the unlatchingregion 330 takes different forms other than an aperture 331. Inparticular, the unlatching region 330 need not provide direct access tothe latch members 120 of the support 200, but may instead allow fordepression of the latch members 120 of the support 200 by indirectapplication of a force. To this end, the unlatching region 330 may bedefined by a feature on the sleeve 300 that increases flexibility of thesleeve wall in the region of the latch member 120 of the support 200.For example, the unlatching region 330 may be defined by a discontinuity353 in the sleeve wall. Some possible alternatives are shown in FIGS. 10to 13.

FIGS. 10a and 10b illustrate an embodiment in which the unlatchingregion 330 comprises a slit 350 in the base wall 316 of the sleeve 300in the region of the latch feature. The slit 350 extends transverse tothe opening direction X, and in this particular case is perpendicular tothe opening direction X. The slit 350 is arranged so as to lie above therear edge of the flap 324 that defines the latch member 120 of thesleeve 300. By virtue of the slit 350, the base wall 316 of the sleeve300 can be easily depressed in the region of the latch formation 254,thereby allowing a user to apply a localised force above the latchformation 254 that enables movement of the latch formation 254 in theunlatching direction.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b , the slit 350 extends ashort distance left-to-right, having a length that corresponds to lessthan half a width of the sleeve 300. The embodiment of FIGS. 11a and 11b, is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 10a and 10b , except that theslit 352 extends across the entire width of the package 100, from leftto right.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 12a and 12b , the discontinuity 353 takes theform of a slot or elongate aperture 354. Similar to the slit 350 of theembodiment of FIGS. 10a and 10 b, the slot 354 extends transverse to theopening direction X, and in this particular case is perpendicular to theopening direction X.

FIGS. 13 to 18 illustrate another embodiment of a package 1100, in whichthe latch features of the support 1200 and sleeve 1300 are located onthe left and right sides of the package 1100, rather than the base wallof the package 1100.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the package 1100 comprises a support 1200and a sleeve 1300, and is moveable by a user in an opening direction Xbetween a fully-closed or secured position, shown in FIG. 13, in whichaccess to the hazardous materials is blocked by the sleeve 1300, and afully-open or access position, shown in FIG. 14, in which access to thehazardous materials is permitted.

As in previous embodiments, the support 1200 of this embodimentcomprises a main body that defines a tray 1202, the tray 1202 comprisinga base 1212 defined by a generally planar base wall 1214 and left andright side walls 1216, 1218. The left and right side walls 1216, 1218are upstanding from the base wall 1214, so as to extend from the basewall 1214 generally perpendicularly. In this embodiment, the supportcomprises a latch formation 1254 on the left side wall 1216 and a latchformation 1254 on the right side wall 1218.

As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, each of the left and right side walls1216 and 1218 is defined by a double wall, comprised of two panels lyingnext to other. Thus, the support 1200 comprises first or outer sidewalls which define external-facing side walls of the support 1200, andsecond or internal side walls which define internal-facing side walls ofthe support 1200. More specifically, the support 1200 comprises left andright outer side walls 1216 a, 1218 a and left and right internal sidewalls 1216 b, 1218 b.

The support 1200 is symmetrical about its central longitudinal axis.Therefore, the latch formations 1254 on the left and right side walls1216, 1218 are mirror images of each other and function identically butin opposite directions. Furthermore, the form of the latch formations1254 is essentially the same as the latch formations 254 of the firstembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

Thus, for convenience we will consider only the latch formation 1254 onthe left side wall 1216 in the following discussion, and only briefly,since all features of its construction are substantially the same of thelatch formation 254 already described above. The latch formations 1254are shown in particular detail in FIGS. 18a and 18 b.

A latch region 1250 is provided on the left side wall 1216. The latchregion 1250 comprises a latch wall 1252 defined by the left outer sidewall 1216 a. The latch region 1250 comprises the latch formation 1254that is defined by a part of the latch wall 1252, that is biased toflare or protrude outwards in a latching direction L that is transverseto the opening direction X, and in this case that is generallyperpendicular to the plane of the left side wall 1216 a. In this way,the latch formation 1254 protrudes outwards in the latching direction L,away from the left internal side wall 1216 b. The latch region 1250 isprovided towards the front of the package 1100 in this embodiment,although it may be provided at different positions along the left sidewall 1216 in other embodiments.

The latch wall 1252 comprises a first constrained portion 1252 a remotefrom the latch formation 1254, and a second partially unconstrainedportion 1252 b that supports the latch formation 1254. The first portion1252 a is constrained to lie substantially in the plane of the left sidewall 1216. In this example, the first portion 1252 a is constrained by afolded edge 1215 a that joins the first portion 1252 a of the left outerside wall 1216 a, to the base wall 1214, and by a folded edge 1217 thatjoins the first portion 1252 a of the left outer side wall 1216 a to theleft inner side wall 1216 b. The edges 1215 a, 1217 are defined byfolds, and the first portion 1252 a of the latch wall 1252 that liesbetween these folds is constrained within the plane of the left outerside wall 1216 a, such that the first portion 1252 a cannot project inthe latching direction.

In the second portion 1252 b, the constraint of the wall 1252 betweenthe folds is released by an arrangement of openings 1255 that isessentially the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, thesecond portion 1252 b includes first, second and third openings, 1256,1258, 1260 arranged in the same manner with respect to one another as inthe first embodiment, but provided in the left outer side wall 1216 a ofthe support, rather than in the base wall.

FIG. 17 illustrates the flat blank used to form the support of thepackage of FIGS. 13 to 16. The flat blank is substantially the same asthe blank of FIG. 5, but the latch formations 1254 are formed in theouter sidewall panels 1216 a, 1218 a of the blank, instead of the basewall of the support.

The sleeve 1300 of this embodiment is essentially identical to thesleeve 300 of the first embodiment, apart from the position and form ofthe latch members 120.

The latch members 1120 of the sleeve 1300 are positioned on left andright sides of the sleeve 1300 such that, when the structure 1200 isprovided in the sleeve 1300 in the first position, the latch members1120 of the sleeve 1300 and the latch formations 1254 of the support1200 are aligned with one another.

The latch members 1120 of the sleeve 1300 comprise flaps 1324 providedat the front end of the package 1100, on left and right side walls 1320,1322 of the sleeve 1300. Specifically, the sleeve 1300 comprises a leftflap 1324 a that extends rearwardly from a front edge of the left sidewall 1320 into an interior space of the sleeve, and a right flap 1324 bthat extends rearwardly from a front edge of the right side wall 1322into the interior space of the sleeve. The flaps 1324 a, 1324 b eachcomprise a rear edge 1327 a, 1327 b that defines an abutment edge thatabuts against a corresponding abutment edge of the corresponding latchformation 1254 of the support 1200, to prevent movement of the support1200 in the opening direction.

The sleeve 1300 also comprises unlatching regions 1330 that facilitatedepression of the latch formation 1254 of the support 1200 through thesleeve 1300. In particular, the sleeve 1300 comprises a left unlatchingregion 1330 a provided on the left side wall 1320 of the sleeve 1300,and a right unlatching region 1330 b provided on the right side wall1322 of the sleeve 1300.

As with the support 1200, the sleeve 1300 is symmetrical about itscentral longitudinal axis, such that the left and right unlatchingregions 1330 a, 1330 b are mirror images of each other and functionidentically but in opposite directions. Thus, for conciseness, only theleft unlatching region 1330 a will be described.

The left unlatching region 1330 a comprises an unlatching opening 1331 ain the left side wall 1320 of the sleeve 1330. In this example, theunlatching opening 1331 a is provided in the form of an elongate slit orcut in the left side wall 1320 of the sleeve 1300, that extends in adirection that is transverse to the opening direction X of the package1100. The left unlatching opening 1331 a is located in a position that,when the left flap 1324 a of the sleeve 1300 lies flush against theinterior side wall of the sleeve 1300, is immediately rearward of theabutment edge 1327 a of the left flap 1324 a.

In the example of FIG. 13, the unlatching opening 1331 a extendsperpendicularly with respect to the opening direction X. Also in thisexample, the unlatching opening 1331 a extends across approximately halfof the width of the left side wall 1320, and is positioned centrallyalong the width of the left side wall 1320. However, the shape, positionand extent of the unlatching opening 1331 a may vary in otherembodiments.

The unlatching opening 1331 a creates a region of the left side wall1320 of the sleeve 1300 that can be depressed more readily than aremaining portion of the left side wall 1320, when the support 1200 isassembled in the sleeve 1300 in the first position. That is to say, theunlatching opening 1331 a creates a wall region that can be more easilydeflected out of the plane of the wall 1320. This unlatching region 1330a lies adjacent to and rearward of the unlatching opening 1131 a, andextends rearwardly from the unlatching opening 1131 a to an unlatchingregion perimeter. The portion of the unlatching region 1330 a directlyadjacent the unlatching opening 1331 a is most easily deflected out ofthe plane of the left side wall 1320. The unlatching region perimeterdefines the distance from the unlatching opening 1331 a at whichdeflection out of the plane of the side wall 1320 is no longerfacilitated by the presence of the unlatching opening 1131 a. As theskilled person will understand, the shape and extent of the unlatchingregion 1330 a is dependent on, for example, the size and shape of theunlatching opening 1331 a, and the form and material properties of theside wall 1320 on which the unlatching region 1330 a is provided.

When the support 1200 is arranged in the sleeve 1300 in the firstposition, the unlatching openings 1331 of the sleeve 1300 generallyalign with the latch formations 1254 of the support 1200, and arepositioned a small distance rearward of the abutment edges 1327 of theflaps 1324 of the sleeve 1300. The latch formations 1254 of the support1200 are in the latched configuration, such that the latch formations1254 flare outwardly in the latching direction, and the abutment edges1262 of the latch formations 1254 abut with the abutment edges 1327 ofthe flaps 1324 of the sleeve 1300. In this embodiment, the outward flareof the latch formations 1254 is enabled by means of a small spacebetween inner surfaces of the side walls 1320, 1322 of the sleeve 1300and outer surfaces of the side walls 1216 a, 1218 a of the support 1200.This small space is created at least by the presence of the flaps 1324of the sleeve 1300, which lies sandwiched between the side wall 1216 a,1218 a of the support 1200 and the side wall 1320, 1322 of the sleeve1300. To open the package 1100, the user must apply unlatching forces tothe latch formations 1254 of the support 1200 in an unlatchingdirection. The unlatching direction is substantially opposite to thelatching direction and, in this embodiment in which the latch formations1254 are provided on side walls of the support 1200, is substantiallysideways and inwards towards the interior of the package 1100.

The unlatching forces are applied to the latch formations 1254 of thesupport 1200 via the unlatching regions 1330 of the sleeve 1300. Whenthe user applies an inwards force to the unlatching regions 1330, forexample by squeezing the left and right unlatching regions 1330 betweentheir thumb and middle finger, the walls of the unlatching regions 1330are deflected in the unlatching direction. Deflection of the unlatchingregions 1330 in the unlatching direction deflects, in turn, the latchformations 1254 of the support 1200 in the unlatching direction. In thisway, the latch formations 1254 of the support 1200 are resilientlydeformed in the unlatching direction to lie flat or flush with the sidewalls 1216, 1218 of the support 1200. The latch formations 1254 of thesupport 1200 are now disengaged with the flaps 1324 of the sleeve 1300,and the support 1200 can be moved out of the sleeve 1300 in the openingdirection in the same manner as already described with respect to theembodiment of FIG. 1.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 12 and 13 to 18, the latch members 120;1120 of the support 200; 1200 have been integral with a main body 202;1202 of the support 200; 1200. However, embodiments are also envisagedin which the support comprises a main body and a latch element that iscouplable to the main body to provide the latching function. Examples ofsuch embodiments are shown in FIGS. 19 to 23 and 25 to 27.

Turning now to FIGS. 19a to 19c , FIG. 19c illustrates an embodiment ofthe invention in which the latch formations 2254 of the support 2200 areprovided on a latch element 2280 taking the form of a band 2282. Thelatch formations 2254 can be seen in close up in FIGS. 19a and 19 b.

When the support 2200 is assembled for use in the package 2100, the band2282 encircles the main body 2202 of the support 2200 widthwise to forma closed loop around the width of the main body 2202. The band 2282 isdimensioned such that it forms a close fit with the main body 2202 ofthe support 2200 when the support 2200 is assembled. In this way, theband 2282 may be held in place by friction between the surfaces of theband 2282 and the surfaces of the main body 2202 that are in contactwhen the support 2200 is assembled. Alternatively or additionally, theband 2282 may by attached to the main body 2202. For example, the band2282 may be adhered to the main body 2202 at one or more adherencelocations. Of course, such attachment must not affect the properfunctioning of the latch formations 2254.

In this embodiment, the band 2282 is configured to provide the support2200 with left and right latch formations 2254, in a similar manner tothe support 1200 of the embodiment of FIGS. 13 to 18. However, it shouldbe noted that a similar band 2282 could be used to provide the supportwith a latch member on its base, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

The band 2282 comprises an upper wall 2284, a lower wall 2286, a leftside wall 2288 and a right side wall 2290. The left and right walls2288, 2290 of the band 2282 are each provided with a latch region 2250that comprises a latch wall 2252 defining a latch formation 2254 in themanner described above. When the support 2200 is assembled for use inthe latchable package 2100, the band 2282 encircles the main body 2202of the support 2200 such that the left side wall 2288 of the band 2202overlies a portion of the left side wall 2216 of the main body 2202 andthe right side wall 2290 of the band 2282 overlies a portion of theright side wall 2218 of the main body 2202. In this way, the latchregions 2250 of the band 2282 form external-facing left and right sidewalls 2216 a, 2218 a of the assembled support 2200.

As in previous embodiments, the latch formation 2254 is biased to flareor protrude outwards in a latching direction L that is transverse to theopening direction when the band 2282 is assembled on the main body 2202of the support 2200 for use.

Also as in previous embodiments, the latch wall 2252 comprises a firstconstrained portion 2252 a and a second partially unconstrained portion2252 b. The first portion 2252 a is constrained to lie substantially ina plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the left side wall 2216 ofthe main body 2202 when the support 2200 is assembled for use. The firstportion 2252 a is constrained by an edge 2215 b that joins the left orright side wall 2288, 2290 of the band to the upper wall 2284 of theband 2282, and an edge 2215 a that joins the left or right side wall2288, 2290 of the band 2282 to the lower wall 2286 of the band 2282.

The constraint of the latch wall 2252 is released in the second portion2252 b by means of a first opening 2256 that extends rearwardly from afront edge 2262 of the side wall 2288, 2290, and that comprises anelongate slit or cut in the side wall 2288, 2290. A second opening 2258is provided in the side wall 2288, 2290 at a position forward of thefirst opening 2256. At the rear or base of the slit of the opening is afurther opening 2260 in the form of a circular aperture, which performsthe same function as the third opening 260 of the first embodiment ofFIG. 1, and therefore will not be described in any further detail here.

In an alternative but similar embodiment to that of FIG. 19, the band2282 terminates at the front edge 2262. In other words, in thisembodiment the front edge 2262 forms a front most edge of the band 2282,and the latch formations 2254 are formed at the portion of the band 2282that is furthest forward when the band 2282 is assembled on the mainbody 2202 of the support 2200.

A support 2200 comprising the band 2282 of FIG. 19 coupled to a mainbody 2202 may be used in combination with a sleeve 2300 havingunlatching regions, for example, in the form of apertures or unlatchingregions, although it is not limited as such.

Operation of a package 2300 comprising a support 2200 including the band2282 of FIG. 19 is identical to operation of a package comprising asupport having integral latch members, as has already been described.

Turning now to FIGS. 20 and 21, these figures show an embodiment of thepackage 3100 in which latch formations 3254 of the support 3200 areprovided on latch elements 3280 that are coupled to the main body 3202of the support 3200 when assembled for use. In particular, the support3200 of this embodiment includes left and right latch elements 3280 a,3280 b that are coupled to left and right side walls 3216, 3218 of thesupport 3200, to provide the support 3200 with left and right latchformations 3254 a, 3254 b.

The latch elements 3280 of this embodiment, one of which is shown inFIG. 20, are each formed by folding a substantially planar sheet,illustrated in FIG. 21. Once formed, each latch element 3280 comprisesan inner wall 3282 that lies against an outer side wall 3216 a, 3218 aof the main body 3202 of the support 3200 when the support 3200 isassembled, and an outer wall 3284 that forms part of an external-facingwall of the support 3200 when the support 3200 is assembled. The outerwall 3284 comprises a first portion 3284 a (in this case an upperportion) that joins to the inner wall 3282 at a first edge 3286 definedby a first fold, and a second portion 3284 b (in this case a lowerportion) that joins to the inner wall 3288 at a second edge 3288 definedby a second fold.

An opening or channel 3256 is defined between the first and secondportions 3284 a, 3284 b of the outer wall 3284. The opening 3256 extendsrearwardly from a front edge of the outer wall 3284, to define anunconstrained portion 3252 b of the latch element 3280, and to definelatch formations 3254 of the latch element 3280. At a rear portion 3252a of the latch element 3280, the outer wall 3284 is adhered to the innerwall 3282 to define a constrained portion 3252 a of the latch element3280, which is constrained to lie in a plane that is parallel to theplane of the side wall 3216, 3218 of the main body 3202 to which thelatch element 3280 is coupled in use. In this example, rearward regionsof the first and second portions of the outer wall 3284 are adhered tothe inner wall 3282 by means of an adherence strip 3285 provided on theinner wall 3282. To this end, before folding the sheet that forms thelatch element 3280, a protective strip may be provided over theadherence strip 3285, to protect and prevent contamination of theadherence strip 3285 before use.

The latch elements 3280 further comprise coupling portions 3290 thatallow the latch elements 3280 to be coupled to the main body 3202 of thesupport 3200. Each latch element 3280 includes two coupling portions; afirst coupling portion 3290 a that extends forwardly from a front edgeof the inner wall 3282, and a second coupling portion 3290 b thatextends rearwardly from a rear edge of the inner wall 3282. In thisexample, each of the coupling portions 3290 has a generallysemi-circular shape. In use, each coupling portion 3290 of the latchelement 3280 is received in a coupling opening 3292 provided in the sidewall 3216, 3218 of the main body 3202 of the support 3200 (see FIG. 20)and, in this way, the latch elements 3280 are coupled to the main body3202. The coupling openings 3292 are provided in the form of elongatecuts or slits in the side wall of the main body 3200.

In other embodiments, the latch elements 3280 may be coupled to the mainbody 3202 in a different manner. For example, the latch elements 3280may be adhered to the main body 3202 by directly gluing the inner wall3282 of the latch element 3280 to the side wall of the main body 3202.In some embodiments, the latch elements 3280 are formed as stickers thatare stuck onto the side wall of the main body 3202.

A support 3200 comprising latch elements 3280 as shown in FIGS. 20 to 21may be used in combination with a sleeve of the sort described above,which may have unlatching regions, for example, in the form of aperturesor other unlatching regions as described above, although it is notlimited as such.

Operation of a package 3100 comprising a support 3200 including thelatch elements 3280 of FIGS. 20 and 21 is identical to operation of apackage comprising a support having integral latch members, as hasalready been described.

Now referring to FIGS. 22a to 24d , these show variants of theunlatching region of the sleeve.

FIG. 22a shows a sleeve 4300 having an unlatching region 4330 similar tothat of the sleeve shown in FIG. 13, but that differs in that theunlatching opening 4331 extends across the entire width of the side wall4320 in the sleeve 4300 of FIG. 24a , rather than across just a portionof the width of the side wall 4320.

FIG. 22b shows a variant 5300 in which the unlatching opening 5331extends with respect to an axis perpendicular to the opening directionat an angle of approximately 30 degrees. The unlatching opening 5331extends across the entire width of the side wall 5320, extending in arearward direction from an upper edge 5323 of the side wall 5320 to alower edge 5325 of the side wall 5320.

FIG. 22c shows a variant 6300 in which the unlatching opening 6331 is anelongate cut-out that extends perpendicularly with respect to theopening direction, across more than half of the width of the side wall6320. The cut-out has a length to width ratio of around 10:1 in thisexample, although this ratio may vary in other embodiments. The cut-outincludes rounded edges that help to prevent tearing of the unlatchingopening 6331 at its edges.

In embodiments in which the unlatching opening is a slit or cut in thewall of the sleeve, it would be possible to include one or more circularopenings to reduce the likelihood of tearing. Such a further openingwould provide essentially the same function as the third opening 260described in relation to the support 200 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to12.

FIG. 22d shows a variant 7300 in which the unlatching region 7330 is anaperture 7331 that provides direct access to the latch members 7120 ofthe support 7200, through the aperture 7331 of the sleeve 7300. Theaperture 7330 of the sleeve 7300 of FIG. 22d has the same shape as theaperture 330 of the sleeve 300 of FIGS. 1 to 9, but in this case isprovided in a side wall 7320 of the sleeve 7300 rather than in the baseof the sleeve. Thus, the sleeve 7300 of FIG. 22d is for use in a package7100 having latch members provided on the or each of the left and rightsides.

FIGS. 23a and 23b show another embodiment of the support 8200 of thepackage 8100, having an integral latch region 8250 having a differentform to those already described.

The latch region 8250 of this embodiment is provided on a left side wall8216 of the support 8200. The side walls 8216, 8218 of the support 8200are each defined by a double wall comprising an internal side wall 8216b, 8218 b and an external side wall 8216 a, 8218 a, and the latch wall8252 of the latch region 8250 is formed by a portion of the externalside wall 8216 a, 8218 a of the support 8200.

The latch wall 8252 comprises a first opening 8256 and a second opening8258, each defined by an slit or cut in the external side wall of thesupport 8200. The first opening 8256 is provided at or adjacent the fold8215 a between the external side wall 8216 a, 8218 a and the base wall8214 of the support 8200, and extends along the opening direction. Thesecond opening 8258 is provided at a position forward of the firstopening 8256, and extends perpendicularly to the opening direction (andthe first opening 8256), such that the first and second openings 8256,8258 together define an L-shape. The second opening 8258 extends acrossthe full width of the external side wall 8216 a, 8218 a to separate alatch region 8250 from a remainder of the side wall 8216, 8218 forwardof the second opening 8258.

As in previous embodiments, the first opening 8256 at least partiallyreleases the constraints on the latch wall 8252 in a portion between thefolds that join the external side wall to the base wall and the internalside wall, 8215 a, 8217, to define an unconstrained portion 8252 b. Alsoas in previous embodiments, a region of the latch wall 8252 rearward ofthe first opening 8256 forms a constrained portion 8252 a that isconstrained to lie substantially in the plane of the side wall 8216 a,8218 a.

Although in the embodiment of FIGS. 23a and 23b the latch wall 8252 isformed as a part of the external side wall 8216 a, 8218 a of adouble-walled support 8200, this latch configuration could also beprovided in a support 8200 having only a single-walled structure. Thatis, the latch region 8250 could be formed as a folded flap extendingfrom a top edge of the single side wall of the support. In this case, arear portion of the flap could be adhered to an outer surface of theside wall to form the constrained portion. The unconstrained portion maybe defined by the front and lower edges of the flap that are forward ofthe constrained portion. Alternatively, the flap may be provided with acut or slit that extends perpendicularly to the opening direction, andthat is located on the flap at a position rearwardly from its frontedge. In this case, the portion of the flap forward of the opening maybe adhered to the outer surface of the single side wall.

FIG. 24 shows another embodiment of a latch element 9280 that iscoupleable to the main body 9202 of the support 9200, and that carriesthe latch regions 9250 of the support 9200.

The latch element 9280 includes an upper wall 9284, left and right sidewalls 9288, 9290, and front and rear flaps 9292, 9294. The left andright side walls 9288, 9290 each comprise an outer side wall 9288 a,9290 a that defines a part of the external-facing side wall of thesupport when the support is assembled, and an internal side wall 9288 b,9290 b that is bonded to an outer surface of a side wall of the mainbody 9202 of the support 9200 when the support 9200 is assembled.

The latch regions 9250 are provided on the outer side walls 9288 a, 9290a of the latch element 9280. In this embodiment, a latch region 9250 isprovided on the left outer side wall 9288 a and a latch 9250 region isprovided on the right outer side wall 9290 a. The latch regions 9250 aresimilar in form to those shown in the embodiment of, for example, FIG.14, apart from that the openings 9255 of the discontinuity 9253 togetherform a Y-shaped opening rather than a T-shaped opening.

When the support 9200 of this embodiment is assembled, the latch element9280 is provided in or on the main body 9202 such that the upper wall9284 of the latch element 9280 forms a cover for a portion of the tray9202 defined by the main body 9202. The left and right side walls 9288,9290 of the latch element 9280 are positioned to overlie outer surfacesof the left and right side walls of the main body 9280, such that theouter side walls 9288 a, 9290 a of the latch element 9280 formexternal-facing walls of the support 9200. The left and right internalside walls 9288 b, 9290 b are attached or adhered to the left and rightouter surfaces, respectively, of the side walls of the main body 9202.The latch element 9280 is dimensioned such that its length is a fractionof the length of the main body 9202, such that articles supported in themain body 9202 can be accessed without removal of the latch element9280.

The front and rear flaps 9292, 9294 of the latch element 9280 may meetthe base wall of the main body of the support 9200 at an approximately90 degree angle, to define a closed-off portion of the tray that is notintended to support items in use. Alternatively, the front and rearflaps 9292, 9294 may be folded against a lower surface (not visible inFIG. 24) of the upper wall 9284 of the latch element 9280, such thatitems stored in the main body 9202, below the latch element 9280, may beaccessed without removing the latch element 9280. As a furtheralternative, the front flap 9292 may be adhered to an inner front wallof the main body 9202, to retain the latch element 9280 in place in themain body 9202. In this case, the rear flap 9294 may either be arrangedto meet the base wall of the main body 9202, or to lie parallel againstthe lower surface of the upper wall 9284 of the latch element 9280.

A support comprising the latch element 9280 of FIG. 24 may be used incombination with any suitable sleeve having suitable unlatching regions.Operation of a package 9100 including a support 9200 comprising thelatch element 9280 of FIG. 24 is identical to operation of a packagecomprising a support having integral latch members, such as has alreadybeen described.

FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of the support 10200 that includes ahinged lid 10280 that carries a latch region 10250. The hinged lid 10280comprises an upper wall 10284 and a side flap 10288. The upper wall10284 joins to a right side wall 10218 of the main body 10202 at an edgeof fold 10215 b. The upper wall 10284 forms a lid or cover for at leasta portion of the main body 10202, that blocks access to articles storedin the main body 10202 when the lid 10280 is in a closed position asshown in FIG. 25. The side flap 10288 comprises a latch region 10250having a latch wall 10252. The latch wall 10252 comprises an arrangementof openings 10255 that define an at least partially unconstrainedportion 10252 b of the wall 10252, these openings having the samegeneral form as those of the latch region of the embodiment of FIG. 24.

When the support 10200 is received in a sleeve 10300 for use, the lid10280 is in the closed position and the flap 10288 lies substantiallyparallel to a left side wall 10216 of the main body 10202, against anouter surface 10217 of the left side wall 10216 of the main body 10202,so as to form a part of the external-facing wall of the support 10200.In this case, when the support 10200 is received in the sleeve 10300 andthe package 10100 is in the first position, a first portion 10252 a ofthe latch wall 10252 is constrained by the sleeve 10300 itself. The flap10288 of the hinged lid 10280 is not attached to the side wall 10216 ofthe main body 10202, as this would prevent opening of the hinged lid10280 when the package 10100 is in the second position.

As with the support 9200 of the embodiment of FIG. 24, the support 10200of FIG. 25 may be used with any suitable sleeve 10300 having suitableunlatching regions, and the operation of a package 10100 including thesupport 10200 of FIG. 25 is essentially the same as the operation of thepackages already described in the preceding embodiments.

Many variants of the package are possible within the scope of theinventive concept.

The discontinuity of the second, at least partially unconstrained,portion may be provided in various different forms. The discontinuitymay be provided by one or more openings, cuts or slits in the latch wallof the support, or in the form of one or more channels provided between,for example, two folded portions of the latch wall.

The one or more openings may be arranged in numerous different ways. Forexample, the openings may be arranged to together define a T or L shapedopening in the wall of the support, as already described in thepreceding embodiments.

Many other arrangements of the openings are also envisaged within thescope of the claims. For example, the openings may be arranged to definea generally U-shaped opening 255 a such as those shown in FIGS. 26a and26b , or a generally V-shaped opening 255 b such as those shown in FIGS.26c-e . As illustrated in FIGS. 26f-h , the openings may include acut-out portion of the wall 255 c in combination with an elongate slit255 d.

The access formation of the sleeve may take many suitable forms. Forexample, the access formation may be a cutaway of a different shape,allowing access to a lower front portion of the support, or a centralfront portion of the support. In addition to, or in place of, the accessformation, the package may further include a pull tab, ribbon, or othersimilar feature on the support, to aid or enable the support to bepulled out of the sleeve.

In other embodiments the access opening may be provided at a rear end ofthe package. For example, the rear end of the package may be fully orpartially open to permit access to a rear end of the support to push thesupport out of the sleeve. In other embodiments, an opening may beprovided in the base, top, or side of the sleeve, and a gripping featuremay be provided on the support, with the opening permitting access tothe gripping feature to allow the support to be pushed out of the sleeveusing the gripping feature.

In the embodiments shown, the child resistance provided by the latchesis augmented by the fact that the spacing between the latch formationsis great enough that a child could not easily depress both latchformations simultaneously with one hand. However, this width of thepackage merely augments the child resistance, and is not a necessaryfeature. For example, in relatively small packages, the width of thepackage may not be large enough to augment the child resistance in thismanner, and in such small packages the presence of the latches issufficient to provide ample child resistance.

Although in the embodiments described the package is provided witheither one or two sets of co-operating latch members, it will beappreciated that in some embodiments more sets of co-operating latchmembers may be provided. In other embodiments, each side of the supportmay have two latch regions, each configured to engage with the latchmember of the sleeve at different degrees of opening of the package, toprovide multiple latching points.

Embodiments are also envisaged in which a single sleeve comprisesmultiple supports. The supports may for example be stackedone-on-top-of-another, in which case the sleeve may be provided withmultiple latch members, with each latch member on the sleeve beingarranged to co-operate with a different latch member of the set ofsupports.

In other embodiments the support may be arranged side-by-side insuccession in the opening direction. In this case, a single set of latchmembers on the sleeve may be arranged to co-operate with latch membersof different supports in turn, as different supports are brought intothe vicinity of the latch region on the sleeve.

Although the described embodiments of the package envisage access ofarticles stored in the support from the top of the support, it would bepossible in other embodiments for the support to be configured such thatarticles stored within can be accessed from different directions, forexample from the side of the support. In this case, the support mayinclude, for example, an access opening in one or more side of thesupport, which may take the form of a fully open side of the support.

It should be appreciated that various other modifications andimprovements can be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A latchable package comprising: a structure; and a support forsupporting one or more items, the support being movable in an openingdirection between a first position in which the structure blocks accessto the one or more items and a second position in which the one or moreitems are accessibly clear of the structure; the structure and supportcomprising complementary latch members configured to engage when thesupport is arranged in the first position to prevent movement of thesupport in the opening direction, the latch member of the support beingmoveable in a latching direction transverse to the opening direction toengage with the latch member of the structure; wherein the supportcomprises a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall beingsubject to a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in thelatching direction, wherein a first portion of the latch wall isconstrained against the biasing force, and wherein a second portion ofthe latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured to release theconstraint in the second portion of the wall to allow the second portionto flare outwardly in the latching direction under the biasing force toact as the latch member on the support.
 2. The package of claim 1,wherein the second portion of the latch wall comprises a free edge thatdefines an abutment surface.
 3. The package of claim 1, wherein thebiasing force is a tensile force.
 4. The package of claim 1, wherein thelatch region comprises a fold arranged to subject the latch wall to thebiasing force, the fold optionally extending substantially parallel tothe opening direction.
 5. The package of claim 4, wherein the latchregion comprises a pair of folds, the latch wall extending between thefolds.
 6. The package of claim 1, wherein the discontinuity is arrangedto divide the second portion into two latch members, one provided ateach side of the discontinuity.
 7. The package of claim 1, wherein thediscontinuity is elongate and extends substantially along the openingdirection.
 8. The package of claim 1, wherein the discontinuity is anopening, such as a slit, cut, or aperture in the wall of the support. 9.The package of claim 8, wherein the latch region comprises a furtheropening that extends in a direction transverse to the first opening,optionally wherein the opening and the further opening together define aT-shape.
 10. The package of claim 8, wherein the latch wall is providedwith at least one termination aperture located adjacent to the opening,the termination aperture having at least one dimension that is greaterthan a corresponding dimension of the opening.
 11. The package of claim1, wherein the latch region is integral with a main body of the support,such that a wall of the main body defines the latch wall, optionallywherein the latch region is defined on a side wall or base wall of thesupport, such that the respective side wall or base wall of the supportdefines the latch wall.
 12. The package of claim 1, wherein the latchregion is provided on a latch element that is couplable to a main bodyof the support, such that the latch region overlies a portion of themain body of the support.
 13. The package of claim 12, wherein thesupport comprises a band that encircles the main body of the support andthe latch region is provided on the band; or wherein the supportcomprises an insert that is couplable to an external wall of the mainbody of the support and the latch region is provided on the insert. 14.The package of claim 1, wherein the latch region of the supportcomprises an inner wall and an outer wall, and wherein the at least oneopening is provided in the outer wall.
 15. The package of claim 1,wherein the package comprises a withdrawal stop structure for limitingmovement of the support in the opening direction, optionally wherein thewithdrawal stop structure on the support is defined by a further latchregion arranged rearward of the latch region in the opening direction.16. The package of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises an accessfeature arranged to permit access to the support when the support is inthe first position.
 17. The package of claim 1, wherein the structurecomprises an unlatching region arranged to overlie the latch region ofthe support when the support is arranged in the first position, theunlatching region being configured to allow the latch member of thesupport to be moved in an unlatching direction via the unlatching regionof the support.
 18. The package of claim 17, wherein the unlatchingregion comprises a slit, cut or opening in a wall of the structure, thatallows a portion of the wall adjacent the slit or cut or opening to bedepressed to depress the latch member of the support, or wherein theunlatching region comprises an aperture through which the latch regionof the support can be accessed.
 19. The package of claim 1, wherein thelatch member of the structure comprises a flap extending rearwardly froma wall of the structure with respect to the opening direction.
 20. Thepackage of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the latch wall isconstrained to define a plane, and the latching direction issubstantially perpendicular to the plane.
 21. The package of claim 1,wherein the first portion of the latch wall is arranged rearwardly ofthe second portion with respect to the opening direction, optionallywherein the discontinuity is arranged forwardly of the first portionwith respect to the opening direction.
 22. A support for use in thelatchable package of any preceding claim, the package comprising astructure and a support for supporting one or more items, the supportbeing movable in an opening direction between a first position in whichthe structure blocks access to the one or more items and a secondposition in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of thestructure, and the structure and support comprising complementary latchmembers configured to engage when the support is arranged in the firstposition to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction,the latch member of the support being moveable in a latching directiontransverse to the opening direction to engage with the latch member ofthe structure, and the support comprising a latch region having a latchwall, the latch wall being subject to a biasing force that biases thewall outwardly in the latching direction, wherein a first portion of thelatch wall is constrained against the biasing force, and wherein asecond portion of the latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured torelease the constraint in the second portion of the wall to allow thesecond portion to flare outwardly in the latching direction under thebiasing force to act as the latch member on the support.
 23. A latchelement for use in a latchable package, the package comprising astructure and a support for supporting one or more items, the supportbeing movable in an opening direction between a first position in whichthe structure blocks access to the one or more items and a secondposition in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of thestructure, and the structure and support comprising complementary latchmembers configured to engage when the support is arranged in the firstposition to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction,the latch member of the support being moveable in a latching directiontransverse to the opening direction to engage with the latch member ofthe structure; wherein the latch element comprises a latch region havinga latch wall, the latch wall being subject to a biasing force thatbiases the wall outwardly in the latching direction, wherein a firstportion of the latch wall is constrained against the biasing force, andwherein a second portion of the latch wall comprises a discontinuityconfigured to release the constraint in the second portion of the wallto allow the second portion to flare outwardly in the latching directionunder the biasing force to act as a latch member; and wherein the latchelement is couplable to a support or to a structure of the package todefine a latch member of the support or structure, respectively.